Sarah Christy is Executive Vice President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, working in partnership with the President & CEO to achieve the organization’s mission and key strategic goals. Sarah is responsible for the Cultural Alliance’s financial management while also overseeing major programs and day-to-day operations. Prior to joining the Cultural Alliance, she was Interim President & CEO of International House Philadelphia where she previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Programs, managing Lightbox Film Center. Sarah holds a MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University and a BA in Economics & Business from Lafayette College. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund’s Board of Directors, is a member of Lightbox Film Center’s Board, and is an Adjunct Professor in Drexel University’s Arts Administration & Museum Leadership graduate program. Outside of GPCA, she enjoys the performing arts, Philadelphia 76ers, and her dog Fosse.

Patricia Wilson Aden is President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, which leads, strengthens and amplifies the voices of 400+ member organizations that make up the region’s cultural community. Aden is an unwavering advocate for the arts and culture sector with more than 40 years of experience leading non-profit and cultural institutions, most recently as President of The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee and as President & CEO of the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

During her tenure at AAMP, Aden preserved a strong financial future for the museum by establishing strategic partnerships, delivering nationally acclaimed programming, and creating deeper donor engagement. At the Blues Foundation, she led the adoption of the Foundation's Statement Against Racism and its accompanying Action Plan, furthered the Blues Foundation's Blues in the Schools program, and helped develop the museum’s Blues Guide, while shepherding the organization through the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Aden has also served in executive roles for the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

Aden currently serves on the board of PA Humanities and is Vice Chair of the Friends of Cooch’s Bridge in Newark, Delaware. She was selected to serve as a member of the National Museum of African American Music’s Music Industry Relations Council. She has also served on the Smithsonian Affiliate Advisory Council and is a member of the Links, Inc. (Philadelphia Chapter). She has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and other national and state level granting agencies.

Aden holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Spelman College and a master’s in historic preservation from Cornell University. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Davis & Elkins College.

Photo credit: Sabina Louise Pierce.